LBA: Life in Uganda

Boda Boda Cyclists
Boda bodas are the most available and dominant method of transport in Manafwa. They are known for being able to penetrate the narrow paths in very remote areas where taxis are unable to reach. Originally named after the bikes used to smuggle sugar and other commodities across borders (‘border border’), they are now a common site throughout Uganda.

Boda bodas transport people on the back of bicycles in return for a small fare. They are ridden by men, mainly young men, who are often primary school dropouts.

There are two types of boda bodas – bicycle and motorbike (pikipiki) boda bodas.

Bicycle Boda Bodas
In Manafwa, bicycle boda bodas are the most common type of transport. They commonly take people on shorter journeys, charging around 500/= per kilometre. Boda bodas are often found waiting for passengers at certain stages in trading centres or road junctions. Whilst they have fierce competition from the motorcycle boda bodas, as they do not have to pay for fuel, they can still compete due to their lower prices. On average, a boda boda cyclist will earn between 3500-5000/= a day. If the boda boda rider does not own his bicycle, he will have to pay a rental fee of 1,000/= to the bicycle owner as a rental fee.

Motorcycle Boda bodas
Motorcycle boda bodas often travel greater distances than bicycle boda bodas, and also charge higher prices due to the fuel and maintenance costs. Their busiest days are market days when they transport large numbers of people as well as their produce to and from markets, with Sundays generally being the slowest day.

Motorcycle boda bodas can earn between 8 and 12,000/= a day. It is less common for them to own their motorbikes and so have to pay the owner between 5 and 7,000/= a day for renting the bike, though on Sundays, no rental charge is paid.

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